Chapter 58. I thought there wasn’t another (1) pea,
but there were three.
This is a story about Plantz’s patience. Except for the crazy blue-haired wizard and the pink-haired wizard who eats things with salt, most people don’t know this, but there are at least three of them anyway. Of course, this count only applies to people. Just as it is impossible to get angry at Anne, who presses her protruding uvula and meows prettily, Plantz’s patience also increases infinitely in front of her younger brother, who barks as if he doesn’t care at all.
For the most part, it lives well, but sometimes it disappears.
This is an explanation of Plantz’s reason. It would be a problem if he sometimes went too far with his rationality and even played his heart like a piece on a chessboard, but in any case, Plantz was a rational person. However, there are times when I lose my senses, and this is the case where I look at my younger brother spinning around so many times that I don’t even know how many times, and then I say, “I don’t know, and I spin around with him.”
When you get to know it, it’s gentle, but it’s not just gentle.
Of course, this is an evaluation of Plantz’s personality. After throwing a knife at Yan to confirm that his younger brother had changed and making a thick scar on Calian’s palm, he didn’t show such a cruel personality, but he also didn’t live with his gentle personality on display. There is a good reason why people do not readily sympathize with Kalian’s feelings, who think Plantz is very gentle. He has to show his humanity because he knows that Lucy is his younger brother who only thinks of him as a joke, so he just puts his life down in front of him.
“Because I’m busy. Just get to the point.”
Anyway, it’s that kind of planz.
Calian had been silent ever since he brought Serjane to the villa, who said he had something to say about Randel. It was also Plantz who decided to help Randel with his work, and whether it was real or not, since Serjane was now the crown prince of Tensil, it would have been better for Plantz, who was in the same position, to answer.
Serjane, who had followed him to this point, did not remove the disguise spell. Even though he left his two guard knights outside and sat alone in front of the two royal families of Kairis, he not only did not show his face, but did not even reveal his true name.
Calian knew better than anyone that Plantz, who was dealing with such a suspicious Sergein, would be a smart pea who, unlike when dealing with himself, would show less patience, put in reason for a while, and then put his well-known personality to good use.
“go.”
Like this.
– Sweet.
Relic came in briefly, put down three cups of tea and went out. The tea had a nice scent mixed with cinnamon and dried tangerine peel. Serzane, who smelled that scent, smiled and opened his mouth.
“Tea came out just then, so drink it in moderation and go. By the way, I heard that Kairis people like flower tea, so I guess that’s not true.”
The Crown Prince, who really doesn’t like flower tea, looked briefly at his younger brother who had stopped drinking flower tea for a long time before answering.
“I guess Tensil people have bad ears. Just as bad as their brains.”
“For someone who was polite first, what he said was quite rude.”
“If you don’t like it, leave. That’s it.”
“This is it, won. They say they’ll take care of it, but they keep telling me to go.”
“I think I told you to get to the point. You’re definitely not smart.”
A chuckle was heard from Calian’s side.
This is because Plantz’s speech was too short to have a smooth conversation with a stranger, and the Crown Prince of Tensil was a person who did not listen to even those short words. If this goes on all night long, one side just tells you to get to the point and the other side only says what they want to say.
“If it keeps coming out like that, I think I’ll get a little disappointed.”
“If you’re sad.”
Plantz crossed his knees and placed his hands on them, as if he was going to work hard without the cat. Then he leaned a little towards Sergein and opened his mouth.
“Whether that proud Crown Prince Tensil was killed or dead? Let me ask you that first.”
Sergein’s mouth fell shut.
One corner of Planz’s mouth curled up.
“I don’t like taking turns. How about that?”
Kalian, seeing the pea fighting well, raised his teacup with a relaxed expression. I especially like the smell of tangerines, which is more fragrant than flowers, today.
Ah really. What should we do with our Hina?
I knew that there wasn’t a single thing that wasn’t amazing, but I couldn’t help but admire it over and over again to see how it was so mature. Isn’t it definitely thanks to Hina that I was able to figure out what was inside that crown prince so quickly?
“I didn’t know I was changing the horse.”
“Did he receive it in exchange for sending a healer to Devlan? Or did he receive it in exchange for something else before that?”
“…I thought it was possible because you seemed to doubt my identity yesterday. You still think the same thing.”
“Brother Randel’s work is an excuse. I guess he came here to check whether we know his identity or not.”
Of course, Plantz, who is speaking now, did the same, but Kalian also did not consider from the beginning that Hina might have been wrong. Wasn’t Kalian the one who thought about how to change the definition of platinum color when he heard that Tunteun was platinum-colored, and also nodded when Hina said that he had grown a little taller? So, if Hina says she is a woman, she is a woman. How in the world could anyone doubt that?
“It wasn’t an excuse, but if it were confirmation, it would be confirmation. I was worried that they might spread ridiculous claims.”
“That’s too much. If you’ve said this much, it’s okay to tell me. You don’t seem to know that if you want to save me, you have to reveal that part first.”
Calian, who had been quiet until now, opened his mouth.
This time, I couldn’t stand the foolish behavior any longer, so I went out. Of course, it’s worth it to keep taking steps. Even Alan wouldn’t recognize his appearance as a disguise at a glance. However, the opponents were Kalian and Planz.
“But even if I can’t recognize someone using a magic tool… I can recognize someone lying.”
The wind blows at the end of the words.
Serjane’s short hair was blowing in the wind. Then, with a ‘pop’, the blue, round earring on Serzane’s ear broke off and fell off.
Hair color changes. The length of the hair did not differ much, but it gradually became a blue-gray color, completely different from gold. The golden eyes also changed. With narrow, sharp eyes that are silver with a deep blue tint. The uvula retracts and the neck becomes thinner. Fingers become longer.
The corner of ‘Serzane’s’ mouth curled up when he realized that he had returned to his normal form. Anyway, Calian just shrugged his shoulders and looked towards Plants. I meant that I saved you time to argue, so now you can continue talking on your own.
* * *
Where spring comes. Kairis.
Spring has come to Kairis. The frozen Seneu River flows again, and the scent of yellow Fredia flowers begins to color all of Kairis.
The purple sugar cookie, which looked as fluffy as a cloud, melted and disappeared as soon as it entered my mouth.
“I thought purple would taste like grapes… but it doesn’t taste like grapes.”
The person next to me asked the child’s disappointed words after smelling the sweet scent left at the end.
“You don’t like the taste of lavender?”
“Because it’s a flower. I don’t really like flowers.”
“Can I ask why you don’t like it?”
“Because I’m upset when the flowers wither.”
“If it blooms, it has to wither and disappear, Riri. A flower cannot continue to bloom.”
“Still, it’s a pity. It disappears so quickly.”
The reasons may be different, but I wonder if anyone with the same bloodline knows how to avoid flowers. Demirea, who was walking next to the child Lillie, gave a small smile.
“The almond tree you like is blooming too.”
Demirea opened her mouth like this and talked about what the flowers of the almond tree that Lyrie loved so much looked like, what their scent was like, and how the almonds opened after the flowers bloomed and fell. It showed me that the flowers of the world do not just bloom and fall pretty without any meaning.
“If you don’t like the lavender flavor, I’ll buy you another flavor.”
And also added this: I explained to a child who hated flowers why flowers should bloom and fall, but I did not encourage him to stop hating flowers. Demirea’s mother, Serie, never forced her to do anything she didn’t like.
Lillie, who was looking down at the remaining sugar cookies, took another one to her mouth and said.
“It was made by someone else. I don’t want to throw it away.”
“You probably don’t like being forced to eat.”
“I’m not forcing you to eat it. It’s not bad. Instead, buy me something red next time.”
“Okay. Next time, I’ll buy you a red one.”
“What does red taste like?”
“Well, maybe it tastes like strawberries.”
“What if it smells like roses?”
“Then I’ll buy you a yellow one.”
“What if yellow smells like Fredia, Demirea?”
“It’s okay. Some may not have the scent of flowers.”
“Yes. Next time, let’s take a closer look and choose a different flavor.”
“Okay, let’s do that.”
What do red sugar cookies taste like? I think it might be a strawberry flavor, or a rose scent, or another flavor that is difficult to guess. Demirea promised the following with anticipation of what it would taste like. Riri smiled and nodded.
“Dmirea are you going home now?”
“That’s right. The clothes all fit together.”
“Where should we go in the evening?”
“No. I have no other plans.”
I was on my way to get Lyrie’s new clothes.
I wore a light yellow dress that would look great on Riri, along with a light blue jacket and a navy blue trouser suit. I also bought several new sets of comfortable clothes of various types and colors, including long skirts and pants that would be great for walking around. Children at this time really grow up every day.
Although she could have called in someone from the clothing store as she would when getting her clothes tailored, Demirea purposely went outside. Even if this wasn’t the case, I walked around the streets with Riri as often as possible and for as long as possible. They did not use carriages or horses, but sometimes walked in pairs, and sometimes in small groups, including only the drivers Yuran and Siona. Just like Serie and Slayman did.
Because I knew very well what a good memory it would be.
“Liri. Is there a place you want to go?”
“Yes. I want to go to the river.”
Turquoise hair and eyes.
A child who resembles Evan’s hair color and Lennon’s eye color. A child who resembles Gray’s sharp eyes and soft mouth with Silique’s thin jawline and high nose bridge. Therefore, this child resembles Plants in many ways. Briseen’s child, unknown but obvious to anyone.
He was that kind of child, so at first I thought about raising him and hiding him in a mansion until Evan and Lennon were forgotten in people’s minds. I couldn’t help but think that way. Then I thought about my first brother, who is no longer in this world. I realized that I had been thinking something very foolish.
After that, I called Jan and talked for a long time. I also talked to Lemain. Of course, the first thing I did was ask Riri what she thought. However, I did not ask Slayman. Anyway, Sleiman was going to reply that Riri should do whatever she wanted. No matter what the outcome, what rumors arise, how Gray reacts, or what demands he makes. Slayman’s Siegfried’s shield is large enough to protect a small child from all of that. Because protecting is what Siegfried does best.
At the end of the many conversations, Demirea held Lirie’s hand and started to leave the mansion together. Of course, Lemain also attended the fish feeding event. Gray, who was still quiet, did not react hastily, and the nobles could not speak their mouths carelessly in front of Siegfried. Thanks to this, the event ended quietly.
“You saw the Senyu River yesterday too.”
“I know, but I want to go back.”
“It’s cold by the river in the evening, Riri.”
“But. There were so many people yesterday that I couldn’t see everyone.”
Unlike usual, Riri was stubborn. It seems that many people flocked to see the royal family and were disappointed that they were not able to enjoy the sights to their heart’s content.
“Then…”
Demirea paused, took out the pocket watch in her pocket and checked the time. It was the perfect time to go back to the mansion, wash, eat dinner, do the work I had put off, put Riri to bed, practice swordsmanship, or read a book before going to bed.
Demirea took a look at the sky where the sun was setting before she knew it and bowed down. Then, he tightened the pure white fur scarf around Riri’s neck once again and said,
“Then let’s stop by for a moment. But not for long.”
“Yeah. Good.”
A flower blooms on Riri’s face. Demirea, who smiled even if only slightly, turned her head and spoke to Yuran. Since it seemed like he would be behind schedule, he told everyone to eat first instead of waiting for him to come in.
After Yu-ran, who had been on the road with her, left for the mansion first, Demirea debated for a moment whether to take the carriage or walk a little. Then, I remembered that Riri liked to watch, so I just moved on.
As if she was still amazed by the stores and items on display that she had already seen many times, Lily, who had been walking slowly as she looked at them one by one, stopped. The meaning is clear as this is the second time we have stopped other than in front of the sugar cookie shop. It probably means that there is something you want to buy. So Demirea looked a little surprised.
“Do you want flowers, Lirie?”
“When I go to the river….”
The words were unusually hesitant.
Even though I said I didn’t like flowers, I stopped in front of a flower shop on my way to the river.
Demirea looked down at Lyrie for a moment and stretched out her arms. And then he hugged the child. Lillie had grown a lot since she first came to Siegfried’s Mansion, but Siona was still light to Demirea, who wielded a heavy sword that only an Auror could fight.
“I’ll buy it for you, Annelucia.”
Lemain announced the beginning of spring by feeding fish in the Seigne River. It also meant that another flower would soon bloom again on the Seigne River.
After Lemain left, many Annelucias that had not been able to float all winter came onto the river. Demirea answered the question asked by Lillie after seeing that. That flower is Annerusia and why that flower is floated in the river.
Without asking who the flowers were for, Demirea bought quite a few bunches of Annerusia. You have to say one word to each flower, so you can say it generously no matter who you say it to.
“I’m sending it to mom.”
Lily, who was looking at the flower basket held in the other hand that was not holding her, let out a whisper. Demirea closed her eyes for a moment and opened them at the small words spoken as if she were telling a secret.
Lily was smart.
Although he may not be as smart as Plantz, he is definitely smarter than a child. No one told me what happened to the person who gave birth to me, but I already knew it well.
“I should have bought more flowers.”
Demirea spoke to herself like this while being careful not to let the child in her arms hear a sigh.
“No, that’s enough. I’ll just say that you’re doing well and you don’t have to worry anymore.”
“okay.”
“Thank you, Demirea.”
“It’s okay to not say thank you for things like this.”
“thank you.”
“…… okay.”
Demirea, holding Lyrie in one arm and holding a flower basket in the other, kept walking. Lillie put a sugar cookie into Demirea’s mouth. Then I wrapped my arms around Demirea’s neck and put one in my mouth. After eating the last of the sugar cookies, I hugged Demirea tightly.
The cold air smells of sugar cookies and lavender.
Annelucia and Demirea’s firm and warm arms.
It was the first spring outing that Lirie remembers.
* * *
Last fall.
He said it happened around September to be exact.
“There was an attack. We escaped with the crown prince, but there was an accident on the way.”
The guy who tried and failed to figure out if he really knew who I really was spoke in a deep tone.
“The crown prince is alive. However, it is difficult to say that he is alive.”
Tensil’s crown prince. In other words, it was a story about the real crown prince, not the former bodyguard who was pretending to be the crown prince.
There was an attack, and while escaping, the crown prince fell off a cliff. Although he was rescued, he was said to be unable to speak, think, or move properly. It was also said that all of the crown prince’s close associates died on the same day.
“What did the king over there do?”
“I tried to send a priest without the nobles knowing, but it failed. It was Your Majesty’s close associate who sent the attacker.”
“… Are they nobles? Why?”
“If Prince Randel is not going to become King Kairis, it would be better to invite Prince Randel to succeed him to the throne. I think he probably made a different contract with Prince Randel.”
It was a seal of oath.
“Is it because of Kairis?”
“Isn’t there Prince Randel’s power in Kairis as well? His intention is to expand the land based on that. He’s also joined hands with the wolves.”
“I didn’t know it was nobles who joined hands with wolves.”
Planz, who was laughing, thought for a moment and said.
“How are you disguising yourself?”
“His Highness, knowing that I had missed the treatment period, made a deal with Devlan. To make me the crown prince without the nobles knowing. I was the only one who could imitate all the actions of the crown prince and prepare for an attack.”
Calian didn’t know whether it would be the guy sitting in front of him who would die in a carriage accident this fall, or whether it would be the real crown prince. Because the magic that changes your appearance won’t be removed even if you become a corpse.
“So. What do you want?”
“I offered to attend the birthday celebration for the returning King Kairis, but was turned down. So I came here to ask if you could make room for Prince Randel and I to meet.”
“why.”
‘Serjane’ looked at Planz for a moment. Then he looked at Calian again and after a while he opened his mouth.
“To ask if Prince Randel can ascend to the throne of Tensil but hold your highness’s hand instead of the nobles. I don’t want to be a king. I’m a person who uses a sword.”
Calian’s eyes turned to Plantz.
Plantz will definitely agree to sending Randel to Tensil, and Calian cannot interfere with that.
“Nope.”
And Plantz refused.
“You can solve your country’s problems on your own. I don’t know why my brother has to go there and become king.”
It’s really surprising and unexpected.
He said he had no intention of sending Randel away.
Without even asking about Randel’s intentions.
